The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-01
DISAPPEARED IN DISGRACE
Downfall of w. A. Greer. Vice-Presldent
of the State Board of Agriculture.
Aurora People Lose from 10000 to S3o,OOV
by His Rascality-His Church and Poor
Widows Among the Victims.

new member of the State Board of Aeri-
culture who made such favorable impression
at the annual meeting last January, that he
was elected vice president of the body, was Mr.
Will A. Greer, young lawyer of Aurora he
lost no opportunity to made himself agreeable
TO the old members of the board, and was re-
garded valuable accession to the body.
When the news received here yesterday
that he had disappeared from his home. after
swindlirg every person from whom he could get
money by dishonest methods, his associate Of
fcers and the board were very greatly surprised,
and their well known prejudice against admitting
persons to their circle doubtless consld-
erably strengthened. The board, however. suf-
fers only in reputation from NJ. Greer's rascal
ity, while the people of Aurora who trusted and
esteemed him find that good share of their
wealth has been carried away by the young man.
The extent of his swindling and defalcation is
estimated at from twenty to thirty thousand dol
lars.
Much of the loss falls upon building associa-
tons, for five of which he was solicitor. His
means of getting control of moneys through the
associations were ingenious and various 1t was
mis- duty to report the condition of all property
upon which loan of money was asked, and
upon his report the directors of the association
would grant deny the desired loan. 1t be-
easy
die the associa ions. He would procure loans
from different associations upon piece of prop
erty valued, unincumbered, at about SI,UoU,
until he had got in the neighborhood of So, OUO.
By reporting to of the companies that the
property was free and unincumbered and the
loan good one. he would secure almost the full
value of the property. give mortgage for the
amount. and then go to another association and
work them In the same manner, each time mort
gazing the real estate to secure the amount OF
money loaned, and representing that no other
lien rested upon it.
After having worked in this manner the loan
associations for all they would stand, he bor-
rowed 500 from widow, Mrs Calhoun.
Mrs. Wilson, who had loaned him considerable
sum of money, and held, she supposed, a
mortgage for it. became alarmed Monday and
taking her mortgage to an attorney to examine,
was almost distracted on being Informed that
the instrument was valueless, for it bore across
its face statement of its satisfaction and can
collation. and was utterly worthless. A number
OF papers purportlng to be mortgages mace oy
him upon property and ackuo1le lodged by Thomas
A. Lindsay. notary public, said to be
forgeries, Mr.. Lindsay denying having signed
the instruments notary in any other ca
pacity. John P. Walker the ex- postmaster of
Aurora, has been confronted by a note for 81 O0O
disposed of by Greer. that he (Walker) pro-
nounces a forgery. Charles Caldwell, poor,
honest and Industrious fellow, purchased some
property from Greer and relying upon repre-
sensations that the property was free from in
cum brance, now finds that he will have to pay
$500 to satisfy mortgage One of the city of
icials of Aurora caught in the same manner
piece of property, for 81. 500, and finding it
out few days before Greer had bsconGed spoke
to him about the matter, and when Greer found
that he could not deceive the duped purchaser
any longer blandly told him: why you are all
right you can't lose anything by the transaction,
for have made you a warranty deed, and that
you His warranty deed, however, Will
not prevent its disguised holder from paving an
additional 81, 500 on the property above the pur-
chase price.
One of the rules of some of the loaning associa-
tions was to take refund of the money loaned
that is, if person borrowed sum of money for
a period of years. and before the time OF paying
off that loan on the weekly lnstallment plan ar
rived the party borrowing desired to free the
property from the lien resting upon it. he could
do SO at any time by paying in full the residue OF
the loan In one payment, instead of continuing
it along until discharged by weekly payments
Whenever person desired to thus settle with
the society, Mr.. Greer, as the solicitor and at
torney, would be consulted and the matter
placed in his hands. Instances now coming
to light where he would receive from the prop
erty holder the amount of his refunder, withhold
from the knowledge of the directors the fact,
put the amount of money refunded in his pocket,
and by paying to the company the weekly in
stallments duo from the person who had Dor-
rowed the money, keep the matter secret by re-
porting to the property holder that he haG can
celed for the association the mortgage. Now
that he has gone one seems to know about the
weekly installment being unpaid.
He was leader in the Methodist Church, and,
wishing to do the church a little good in the way
of gratuitous advice, persuaded the officers of
the congregation to invest their surplus funds in
the loan associations he managing AL
though Mr.. Greer received a considerable sum of
money for the purposes mentioned, it is now
claimed that he forgot to purchase the
shares for the church 1t is reported that he
also victimized his fatLer-in law in the same
way, while his father has ceen bankrupted in at
tempting to save the young man from disgrace
number of persons hold worthless checks
given by Greer in payment of debts. Nothing
is known regarding his whereabouts, and as he
had no extravaganza habits there is much specu-
lation in Aurora to what he did with much
money.